Legal

Relevant Legislation

The environment our campuses are now required to operate in is largely dictated by several recently enacted pieces of federal legislation, guidance documents, and recent interpretations of previously standing legislation. A brief summary of those follows:

Title IX – this refers to Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972 requiring equitable gender treatment at institutions of higher education. Full text can be found here.

Clery Act – This refers to the campus’ requirement to publish crimes which happen on or adjacent to their campus. Full text can be found here.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – This act offered additional clarity to the existing regulations provided under the Clery Act aimed at providing more support and services for survivors of sexual assault. A helpful infographic can be found here.

Dear Colleague Letter – This refers to guidance issued by the Department of Education regarding new or adjusted mandated procedures schools must follow as it relates to sexual violence on their campus. Full text can be found here. Further background info can be found here.

Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) – This refers to a student’s right to have his privacy preserved in his individual file. Effectively, universities are not allowed to name individual students in disciplinary matters unless they present an immediate risk to campus safety/welfare. More information can be found here.

Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 - aims to promote volunteerism by limiting, and in many cases completely eliminating, a volunteer's risk of tort liability when acting for nonprofit organizations or government entities. More information can be found here.

You can also contact RMF staff directly at rmf@sigmachi.org with your questions or to setup a time to discuss any particular items

At the RMF, we always understand when advisors and potential advisors want to double check the insurance coverage provided for volunteer service. Sigma Chi and Risk Management Foundation are fully committed to insuring all of our volunteer alumni as they form the backbone of our Fraternity. As such, the coverage available for alumni brothers is both broad and comprehensive.

All advisors are covered under the RMF policy as Named Insureds, as long as they are acting within the scope of their duties as advisors. Coverage would only be in jeopardy if, for example, a house corporation officer or chapter advisor was participating in a hazing activity or was allowing beer to be served to minors—an action that would clearly and knowingly violate RMF or Sigma Chi policy. You will also note in the policy—the exclusions DO NOT apply to house corporations, alumni advisors, HC directors, etc. The exclusions are intended for the “bad actors” and the chapter entities, if they are in violation of RMF and Sigma Chi policies.

Chapter

Chapter membership in the Risk Management Foundation (RMF) includes the following insurance and limits as required under Sigma Chi Governing Laws (ECR 6.02-i-4):

General Liability Insurance.

E6.02-i-4 All U.S. undergraduate chapters are required to provide proof of a minimum of $1,000,000 general liability coverage naming Sigma Chi Fraternity/Corporation as additional insured. Canadian chapters are required to provide proof of a minimum of $1,000,000 Canadian general liability coverage naming Sigma Chi Fraternity/Corporation as additional insured. General liability insurance policy coverages for all chapters must include host liquor liability coverage and hired/non-owned auto coverage. All local groups must provide proof of general liability insurance, consistent with the requirements listed above, naming Sigma Chi Fraternity/Corporation as additional insured before they are duly installed as a chapter of Sigma Chi.

Undergraduate chapters and House Corporations participating in the RMF Property program are also provided Directors & Officers Liability coverage and Dishonesty/Bond (Crime) coverage.